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Xenon (Xe)
Element with atomic number 54, category: Noble gas, a gas at room temperature.
Element 54 of 118
Noble gas
Xenon
Group 18, Period 5
Common Uses
Car headlights
Electron Diagram
About Xenon
Xenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54, meaning every atom has 54 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Noble gas and is a gas at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 131.293 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Xenon sits in group 18, period 5, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Xenon
In daily life and industry, Xenon is used for Car headlights. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Noble gas category.
Electron Structure of Xenon
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Xenon has 4 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 26 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.